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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2004 THE NEW TANNER 11 Council supports Arnott's position on Gas Tax Rebate Guelph/ Eramosa Council has thrown their support behind MPP Ted Arnott's position on the Gas Tax Rebate which he spoke to in Pro- vincial Legislation on October 13, 2004. Mr.Arnott insisted on a fair distribution of the gas tax with rural Ontario as well as the large cities. The official record of the debate in Hansard follows: "Mr. Ted Arnott (Waterloo-Wellington): As of this month, the provincial government is com- mitted to turning over a portion of the provincial gas tax to cities to finance their transit systems. Regrettably, this policy discriminates against people who live and work in rural Ontario. "We who live in rural and small-town Ontario pay the full 14.7 cents per litre of gas tax to the province, just like Ontario's urban residents do. How, then, can the government possibly justify a tax rebate that benefits only people who live in the city? Most municipalities would not oppose using a portion of the gasoline tax to rebuild aging infrastructure in their communities. But our rural residents know that any way you look at it, this policy is a special, exclusive deal for Ontario's cities. "Even the federal Liberal government, in promising to share a portion of the federal gas Avon calling - Rockwood sales lady wins big award By. FRANCES NIBLOCK The Rockwood Miller For 18 years, Rocwood's Betty Burnett -built her Avon business into an award winner, and this year that means an espe- cially generous Christmas for her offspring. Burnett, 70, was recently named a Canadian Grand Slam winner -- with a cash prize of $5,000 -- for grow- ing her sales in the area north of Highway 24, from the Seventh Line to the Town Line. Burnett took over a neighbour's Avon territory in 1986 and hasn't looked back, developing a loyal clientele. "J didn't see myself being a salesman, but obviously, something has happened," Burnett said. "My husband and I had a dairy farm, and when he died in 1979, I was driving a school bus. I kept that up until 1985 and then I had to have something to do," Burnett said. She said it was " dis- couraging" at first, but she stuck with it and "good things happened," includ- ing the Grand Slam award, which she is sharing with her friend and Avon helper, Cathy Elgar. To earn the Grand Slam, Burnett increased the num- ber of catalogues ordered over five campaigns to 200 from 150, and had her named entered in a nation-wide draw for the cash prize, which came as quite a surprise. ~ "About two weeks ago, my manager came to the house saying she liad good news, but couldn't tell me on the phone," Bur- nett said, adding the Avon product basically sells itself. "When I started in '86, Avon was 100 years old. I think its popularity is the quality of the product and they've got a lot of new tax with municipalities, has said the money - must be available to municipalities, has said the money must be available to municipalities large and small. This commitment was made by the Honourable John Godfrey in a speech to the Toronto Board of Trade on October 1. In light of the federal commitment, how is it that the provincial Liberals can be so fixated on our cities, to the complete exclusion of rural Ontario? "In Waterloo-Wellington we have an an- swer: The town of Minto and the township of Wellesley have both passed resolutions on the sharing of the gas tax and they are insisting on fair distribution based on a formula that would ensure that they receive equal treatment from this government. The municipalities in Waterloo-Wellington have outlined their transportation priorities through their support of the Waterloo-Wellington transportation action plan. There are over 40 projects in the plan, and transit is among them, but the majority of them demonstrate the need to include rural Ontario -- its roads and bridges -- in any dedicated dis- tribution of gas tax revenue. "Rural Ontario needs to speak up force- fully on this issue and the government needs to listen." Guelph/Eramosa construction over $19 million mark Oct. 31 Permits for construction in Guelph/Eramosa Township amounted to $1,306,000 during the month of October township council was advised at the regular meeting Monday night. October's total puts the total value of construction for 2004 almost $3 million over the entire year of 2003, and Chief Building Official Michael Newark told councillors November would be even better. Up to the end of October 244 building permits have been issued for a total value of $19,169,000. In all of 2003, 220 permits were issued for a Public meeting to discuss | total construction value of $16,949,000, more than $1 million below 2002's figure of 230 permits worth $18,097,000. Both the years 2001 and 2000, 209 permits ($15,495,000) and 175 permits ($12,540,000) were well below current figures. October permits included two new residential units, five additions, or renovations to homes, five new garages, two pools, seven new barns and sheds, a permit for a garage addition, one institutional addition and seven septic system permits. proposed industrial lots Guelph/ Eramosa council will call a special public meeting to consider a draft zoning bylaw and plan of subdivision redline revision on part of Lot 1, Con.6 in the former Eramosa township which would create three industrial lots having direct access to the Seventh Line. Wellington's Official Plan designates the land as Rural Industrial which per- reits "dry" industrial uses which do not use significant amounts of water in their operation and don't produce significant amounts of efflu- ent. The draft plan conforms AVON CALLING: Betty Burnett's devotion to her sales job over 19 years netted her a $5,000 cash award she's sharing with her helper. - Francis Niblock phot innovative ideas and are always upgrading their skin care products," Bur- nett said. Avon awards are' not new to Burnett -- each year she has met her annual quota -- it is $12,000 this year -- and has been a member of the President's Club. to the county's plan. The property in question is north of or behind the sand and salt highways camp at the corner of Highway 7 and the Seventh Line, west of Crew- sons Corners and east of the Rockwood corner on 7. Planner Bernie Hermsen of McNaughton, Hermsen, Brit- ton, Clarksen Planning Ltd. went over detailed maps with ~ the mayor and councillors recommending (1) that coun- the proposed red line revision be adjusted to correspond vw EE smn ects with the existing limits of i Se Ea remrrmenc the rural industrial zone and -- ge mmeronm Mirela cea (3) the township support the ~~ See proposed red-line provision een as modified. Set "One of the nice thing about the President's Club is that every year, if -you COLLECTOR: Avon lady Betty Burnett shows the lat- est of 19 figurines she's been cil first hold a public meeting pursuant to Section 34 of the Planning Act to consider the make it, (your quota) you get a Mrs. Albee --a porce- lain figurine of the founder of Avon. It is quite an honour to achieve your sales and get a Mrs. Albee," Burnett said, offering only when pressed that she has 18, and almost 19, dolls. Burnett is uncertain what to do with her windfall. "Right now, it's in the bank. I have no plans be- cause it was right out of the blue, but I'm sure I've got some grandchildren, or great grandchildren, that it will make a little happier. Christmas for." awarded by the company. Lions Club present's New Years Eve 2004 Featuring: Marion's Country Band Dinner, Dance, Party Favours ©Rockmosa Community Centré $80 dollars per couple / Available at local merchants 5 ©) call (519) 853-1242 or 856-4566.) draft zoning bylaw and (2) CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE te, December 18 2004 ee 9am-2pm len for Information Call S96-9002 "yy Have a Safe and Happy Holiday From All the Staff at RVC. pe .